Powerful winds attaining velocities of up to 155km/h (96mph) have resulted in approximately 90,000 homes without power and led authorities to call off over 100 flights, according to local media.
These gusts are impacting the entire South Island and southern sections of the North Island, as stated by the country's meteorological service.
The nation's agencies have released uncommon high-level wind alerts - the most severe warning - in key areas such as Wellington and Canterbury.
Residents have been urged to avoid going outside, avoid travel, and get ready for further power and communication outages.
Extensive Destruction and Crisis Measures
This outage seems to be impacting homes mostly in the southern region, though officials state that the electricity supply was being restored progressively.
Local media have indicated that in various locations structures have suffered roof damage, whereas trees and electricity poles have been knocked down by the gusts.
Across Wellington, a man was killed after being struck by a tree branch at a frequent walking route on earlier this week.
Meanwhile in Wellington, a individual was pushed toward approaching vehicles on a street by a intensive burst, in a incident that was captured in a widely shared car camera footage.
Air travel entering and leaving the city have been cancelled due to the weather, and certain highways and community centers are not operating.
Meanwhile Canterbury officials have declared a state of emergency, to support recovery activities.
Labor Protests During Severe Weather
These intense gusts on Thursday coincide with tens of thousands of school staff, physicians and civil servants are participating in what has been termed a "major walkout", calling for improved salaries and workplace environments.
But the severe conditions has compelled them to change some of their plans, with various open-air gatherings relocated inside or cancelled.
Similar gusts are impacting the neighboring country, ushering in a high-temperature event to the remote areas.
Agencies have declared fire bans for fear of wildfires.
